Getting Started with Power BI and leveraging AI to empower optimal decision making

Course Overview

Power BI has AI built into its core and, from the very early releases in 2015, one was able to “Ask a question about your data”. Nowadays the AI capabilities have increased with Copilot (built into “Microsoft Fabric” for higher licence payers) and other AI tools can be utilised to improve productivity. Many AI features in Power BI are not explicitly labelled as such and are simply part of the product.

This three-day course starts with Power BI Dashboard in a Day (DIAD) which is a broad and shallow introduction to Power BI demonstrating how AI eliminates some otherwise repetitive tasks. The training covers the end-to-end process of connecting to data, preparing data, creating reports, and publishing reports.

Thereafter Power BI Data Storytelling Part 1 (PBIDS1) equips participants to communicate data stories to their intended audience effectively. This course integrates data storytelling best practice and principles with practical hands-on exercises to create impactful Power BI reports. Whether you are presenting a single chart, table, or complex dashboard with AI features, having a solid foundation in the art and science of data storytelling is an essential skill.

PBIDS1 takes students through a “real world” scenario guiding them on how to choose charts to represent particular stories, how to use colour and how to apply the principle of “less is more”. A session is devoted to Power BI specific tips and tricks and how to avoid common pitfalls before the students bring together all they have learned in a dashboard build exercise utilising some built in AI features.

After each course a whole morning or afternoon session is reserved for any catching up required, practice, review and “surgery” sessions where participants can ask how they might apply their learning and utilise AI in their own organisations.

Key Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Connect to, import, & transform data from a variety of sources
Define business rules & KPIs
Perform simple data transformations in M (Power Query)
Create basic DAX (Data Analysis eXpressions) functions
Create Data Visualisations
Create and sharing dashboards with others
Publish reports to the Power BI service
Understand scenarios & User Stories
Select appropriate charts
Understand some basic Data Storytelling Best Practice & Principles
Avoid common Power BI Pitfalls
Leverage AI and powerful tips and tricks to improve efficiency and accuracy

Who Should Attend

This course is suitable for anyone new or relatively new to Power BI or those who are self-taught and want some best practice guidance. The course is also suitable for those wanting to acquaint themselves with Power BI to learn what’s possible so they can better articulate their reporting requirements to others.

This course is cross-industry and designed for any organisation that needs to make well informed decisions based upon data.

Course prerequisites

Delegates require the following:

An analytical mindset and an ability to comprehend data
Some prior report writing or Excel pivot tables experience or equivalent
A good laptop with Windows 10 or 11 installed and at least 8GB RAM
A recent (less than 6 months old) version of Power BI Desktop installed. Please note this is the desktop application and NOT the web service.

Detailed joining instructions will be sent prior to the training.

What You’ll Walk Away With

DIAD Student Materials (online)
PBIDS1 Course Manual
Slides
Certificate of Attendance for both courses
Example Power BI files
A light version of our Data Storytelling Requirements and Design Template

This training is part of rupe’s “Power BI Data Analyst” training bundle as shown in the diagram below. Delegates are welcome to sign up for the other courses to complete the whole certification path.

Testimonial

What others have said about our training

At the start of the course, there was a quote on the slides saying "best training event ever", I thought that was a bit of an exaggeration, but only after 30 minutes I realised, it was actually the best training I'd ever had! The tone and format of the day was brilliant, it was formal but also laid back.... Having reassurance that we did not need to get through the entire learning pathway that day was helpful, and if we were stuck, we could have 1:1 time with Ian - while I didn't need this support, I thought it was a handy way to facilitate this online. The way Ian and Roger conducted the training yesterday is the perfect example of how online training should be held 🙂

Named withheld

Microsoft Dashboard in a Day Attendee

Ian provided a dynamic, energising session today. Ian is obviously very knowledgeable and passionate about this subject and it was a pleasure to work through the materials with him. I've learned so much and have some great ideas for the future!

Ian was really clear with his training and very engaging. The course was a very intense day with a lot to get through, but it was broken down into manageable sections and delivered in a way that suited everyone - giving plenty of time to work independently between walk-through's, and have someone there if we had questions.

Another excellent training course delivered with enthusiasm by Ian Stuart, an experienced trainer and knowledgeable about both Power BI and how to optimise data visualisation irrespective of platform.

The training was excellent, presented well in a clear manner and exceeded my expectations. The organisation and the structure of the training course was thought through very well. Surgery 121 meeting was an excellent addition to the practical side of the training. Thank you Ian, I now feel confident to build dashboards.!

Program Agenda

Power BI Dashboard in a Day (DIAD)

Introduction and prerequisites for Power BI
Access and prepare data for Power BI Desktop
Build your first data model and explore the data by using Power BI
Use hierarchies and DAX in your first data model
Data visualization and reports in Power BI
Import custom visuals and add bookmarks to a report in Power BI
Publish and access reports in Power BI service
Interact, share, and collaborate Power BI dashboards

DIAD Review and practice & Power BI Data Storytelling Part 1 (PBIDS1)

AM (DIAD)

DIAD review & AI considerations
Catch up and practice time
Open surgery (ask our trainer questions about your own business and how to apply what you have learned)

PM (PBIDS1)

Scenario background & User Stories
Chart Type selection
An Introduction to Data Storytelling Best Practice & Principles

PBIDS1 Continued, Review and practice

AM (PBIDS1)

Power BI Pitfalls, Tips, Tricks and Bits
Dashboards

PM (Review, practice and wrap up)

PBIDS1 review & AI considerations
Catch up and practice time
Open surgery (ask our trainer questions about your own business and how to apply what you have learned)
Wrap Up & Close